Grappolo d'Oro

A festival that has lasted for over sixty years

The Grappolo d'Oro is the most representative popular event in Potenza Picena, in the heart of the province of Macerata, in the Marche region. Its roots lie in the Festa dell'Uva (Grape Festival) celebrated since the 1930s, but it was in 1957 that the festival took on the name and form with which it is still celebrated today, every year in the last weeks of September. It is a heartfelt tribute to the grape harvest, local grape varieties, and the millennia-old peasant culture of the area.

The historic centre celebrates

For about ten days, the historic centre of the municipality dresses up for the festival: the streets and squares fill with colourful banners, inns where you can taste traditional dishes, market stalls, and lights. The atmosphere is that of a bustling medieval village, with itinerant shows, street artists, photographic exhibitions, live music, and a strong sense of community that draws visitors from all over central Italy.

The district challenge

The competitive and folkloric heart of the festival is the rivalry between the city's districts (rioni), including Porta Marina, Porta Galiziano, Colle Bianco, and San Giacomo. Throughout the year, the districts prepare parade floats and take care of the decorations, competing for a special prize for the creativity and beauty of their displays. The most anticipated moments are the grape-stomping competition and, above all, the barrel race, where district teams push enormous barrels along the town's streets in a spectacular challenge for the Palio dei Rioni (District Trophy).

Flavours of Marche tradition

The absolute protagonist is local gastronomy: the new wine and local grape varieties, sapa (cooked grape must), cured meats, cheeses, and peasant cuisine dishes served in the district inns. A festival that is also a journey into the authentic flavours of the Marche.

Stop on the Grand Tour of the Marche

The Grappolo d'Oro is an official stop on the Grand Tour delle Marche di Tipicità, the circuit that promotes the region's most iconic events from May to December. The event is organised by the Pro Loco of Potenza Picena with the support of the Municipality and represents an unmissable appointment for those who want to experience authentic Marche tradition between the sea and the hills.